Setting the Standard: Affinity Health Services is known for figuring out solutions that best serve senior care communities

This year, LeadingAge Pennsylvania has re-introduced one of their Distinguished Service Awards: the Outstanding Business Partner of the Year Award. “The Outstanding Business Partner of the Year recognizes a business partner that delivers valuable service and significant impact to the mission of our provider members.”

Affinity Health Services, under the leadership of President and CEO Denise McQuown-Hatter, was chosen as the inaugural award winner.

“The Affinity Team always provided support and mentoring during the recruitment of key local leadership positions such as the CEO, HR Director, CFO, Personal Care Home Director and Director of Nursing positions,” The Williamsport Home Board of Managers President Candace Dewar said. “Recruiting and retaining staff continues to take a group effort with the need of a strong, involved leader. Denise helped our leadership team to always evaluate and modify our strategies to be competitive and creative in attracting and retaining staff.”

In the current job market, retaining staff is one of the most difficult things to do. And yet, McQuown and her team have figured out the key to minimizing losses. Between her leadership skills and her charm, she knows how to get people on board and keep them there.

Part of why people are so drawn to both McQuown and the Affinity Health Services team is because of their ability to be truly senior-first. Every resident is at the top of their priority lists, and every resident has a special place in their hearts.

“For over 30 years, Denise has tirelessly worked to improve the lives of seniors,” Executive Vice President of Business Development and Consulting Candace McMullen said. “Beginning her career as a business office manager, she has evolved into the President and CEO of Affinity Health Services. In that role, she has positively impacted more than 150 aging services providers and, in doing so, has enhanced the quality of care for countless seniors throughout the Commonwealth.”

“Affinity Health Services, LLC has been serving senior living providers for over 29 years, providing expert advisory, consulting, and management services across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region,” Marketing and Communications Specialist Leslie Orbin added. “Headquartered in Indiana, PA, Affinity provides a continuum of services to skilled nursing, rehabilitation and personal care facilities and CCRCs with various organizational structures and governing philosophies.”

Affinity has been part of various sectors – for-profit, not-for-profit, faith-based, hospital-based, and government-operated communities – and they take great pride in their successes. Their mission is “We Exist to Make a Difference in Every Life We Touch,” and they certainly do that one senior at a time.

Their core values include integrity, relationships, accountability, balance and excellence, and they stick to those values no matter what. McQuown and Affinity are truly all about senior care residents, and they are trailblazers.

“Denise has led our Affinity management team in elevating Jewish Senior Life beyond day-to-day operations,” Jewish Senior Life of Eastern Pennsylvania Immediate Past President James Alberin said. “She has cultivated a culture of quality and care, transforming our organization into a provider of excellence, an employer of choice, and an innovator in aging services.”

“Denise’s Affinity Team has been present during some very challenging times,” Dewar mentioned. “Managing our senior living community during COVID and the post-COVID years was probably the most challenging time for all of us. Her team provided guidance in ensuring regulatory requirements were met, supplies were obtained, residents’ care and their families’ needs were met, and support and guidance were given to the staff.”

During some of the most difficult times in senior care, McQuown’s “transformative leadership” helped create a seamless transition. She looked out for everyone’s health both physically and mentally, and she did what she could to keep these families together as best she could.

Because of this, the Affinity team received a lot of praise. They were able to navigate such unknown circumstances, and they did it all while keeping great relationships with their clients as well.

“Her resilience and determination have helped drive Affinity’s growth, even in this precarious post-pandemic environment,” McMullen said.

“Affinity Health Services has been recognized by the Indiana Health Care Careers Consortium for working with clients to ensure high-quality care and safety of staff and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Orbin added. “Affinity consultants serve our industry as experts in their field, with team members currently serving on the PACAH Board of Directors, PADONA, LeadingAge PA Quality and Policy Committees, PHCA Policy and Workforce Development Committees, and PA Moving Forward Coalition.”

“Each year, the Affinity Health Services Leadership Team meets with The Williamsport Home Board of Managers for a strategic planning session in order to develop a plan to address our current and future needs,” Dewar also mentioned. “These plans are implemented with quarterly updates given at our Board meetings.”

Affinity’s impact is certainly noticed by many, and they make a difference in a lot of communities. From their team members being part of numerous boards–essentially spreading the wealth–to them always keeping up with the trends of senior living communities, there is no true value you can place on a service like this.

Thanks to their president and CEO, they know how to analyze the needs of local aging populations and design innovative programs. They do not keep their thoughts to themselves, and can address any situation candidly. Affinity Health Services is a true difference maker in the field of senior care, and they are the 2025 LeadingAge PA Business Partner of the Year Award winner for a reason.